Risks of shoveling: Snow laughing matter

When you picture dangerous winter activities, do you think of skiing or maybe snowboarding? You may be surprised that, on average, only 38 Americans are killed each year in skiing and snowboarding accidents combined, compared to 100 deaths in the U.S. related to shoveling snow.

Yes, there are probably a lot more shovelers than skiers, but consider this other statistic for just one metro area: During the winter of 2014-15, CBS News reported that 18 people died in incidents related to shoveling snow in the Chicago area, and that was only through Feb. 15. Ages of the victims ranged from the 40s to 75.

How can shoveling be so dangerous? Think of a primarily sedentary 50-year-old man gulping down his coffee so he can go out on a cold morning to move hundreds of pounds of snow before he has to leave for work. He’s putting a lot of strain on his upper body in particular, in an aerobic activity that’s more strenuous than many sports. And he’s doing this while inhaling cold air.

The combination of an intense, unfamiliar exertion and cold air taxes the heart because it boosts blood pressure and heart rate, as well as the demand for oxygen. The cold also can make blood vessels constrict. A Harvard Health blog posted by Robert Shmerling, MD, refers to a recent study that he says suggests people avoid shoveling if they have heart disease or a high risk for it.

The Canadian research in question looked at more than 128,000 hospital admissions and more than 68,000 deaths due to heart attack. The focus was on the day after snowfalls in Quebec between 1981 and 2014. They found that the deeper the snow, the more men died of heart attacks. If the snowfall was about eight inches, they saw a 34 percent increase in deaths. Dr. Shmerling agrees that the most plausible explanation for this increase is that they were shoveling snow.

If you are going to shovel snow this season, here’s how you can reduce your risk:

Avoid shoveling in the early morning when heart attacks most often occur.